Pip Edwards and Claire Greaves have officially parted ways after more than a decade of working together.
The friends, who were recently hit by rumours of a rift, co-founded athleisure brand P.E Nation in Sydney back in 2015, and have since turned it into a globally thriving business.
However, Claire – formerly known as Claire Tregoning – has now stepped back from running the label, while Pip will continue at the helm of the brand solo.
The move has marked the end of one of Australian fashion’s most enduring relationships and a huge change for the popular streetwear brand.
Claire – who split from her filmmaker husband Timothy Tregoning in 2022 – will now ‘pursue other creative endeavours’ as she takes her career in a new direction.
Pip Edwards (right) and Claire Greaves (left) have parted ways after more than a decade of working together
The brand confirmed in a statement given to the Daily Telegraph, which read: ‘After 10 years of driving P.E Nation with friend and co-founder Pip Edwards, Claire Greaves has made the decision to step out of the day to day running of the business.
‘Claire will remain on the board and will retain her shareholding as the company continues to thrive in the very creative, visionary hands of Pip Edwards at the helm, along with the board of directors.
‘The business has secured and developed an extremely strong product and design team.
‘Pip and the company are in complete support of Claire’s transition to pursue other creative endeavours and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted P.E Nation for comment.
Shortly after the news emerged, Pip took to Instagram to confirm that P.E Nation is now a B Corp certified company as she announced the exciting news for the brand.
Pip (left) and Claire (right) co-founded popular streetwear and athleisure brand P.E Nation in Sydney back in 2015, and have since turned it into a globally thriving business
B Corps are businesses that meet high standards of social environmental performance and transparency, and Pip detailed the two-year journey to achieving the certification.
Alongside snaps of herself standing solo in front of P.E Nation branded boards, she wrote: ‘P.E Nation was born out of a love for active living. A lifestyle that thrives in the outdoors of our coastal urban setting. We love to connect people and communities, and shape the way we feel and move.
‘Personally, I have a deep innate love and appreciation for our earth and ocean, and I understand this ultimately sets the context for how to live well and feel good. It is from our landscape that I find great peace and inspiration daily, so naturally @p.e.nation embarked on a conscious journey to commit to honouring, respecting, and repairing the planet, whilst still doing business.
‘The road to B Corp certification has been a full business, all staff, enormous initiative over the past 2 years and I couldn’t be more proud to announce this huge milestone and achievement. @p.e.nation is now a certified B Corp.
‘But we know we haven’t crossed the finish line, because there isn’t one. We will continue to navigate the complexities toward positive impact, we will continue to be probed about what more we could be doing, and we’ll no doubt be faced with challenges that will be hard to overcome.
However, Claire (left) – formerly known as Claire Tregoning – has now stepped back from running the business, with Pip continuing at the helm of the brand solo
‘But we promise to do our absolute best to commit to betterment, greater social responsibility and environmental stewardship. We can all be the change towards continuous improvement @bcorporation @bcorpanz.’
Before launching P.E Nation together, the pair had worked together for two years previously after meeting at Australian designer Sass & Bide.
Pip and Claire then turned their luxury activewear label into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries, earning a huge number of celebrity clients.
But last year, Pip was forced to deny rumours of a falling out with Claire after her office was cleared out and turned into a ‘creative space’ following a months-long absence.
Daily Mail Australia revealed there were rumours swirling that the deep friendship at the core of the business may have crumbled after a luxury trip away.
At the time, a source with knowledge of the company’s internal dealings alleged: ‘Pip and Claire have had a falling out.’
Shortly after the news emerged, Pip took to Instagram to confirm that P.E Nation is now a B Corp certified company
She shared a mirror selfie of herself smiling in the P.E Nation store as she confirmed the exciting news for the brand
The source said Claire took one month off in December 2022, extended her break for another month in January, and then opted for another three months’ leave.
However, a P.E Nation spokeswoman then denied that the pair were feuding, insisting they remain ‘committed and collaborative business partners’.
‘Claire is taking some well-earned time off and remains an important part of P.E Nation,’ the spokeswoman said at the time. ‘(She) is taking a well-earned sabbatical for a few months.’
Claire reiterated the message when contacted for comment, adding: ‘The business and Pip have both been great supporters of my sabbatical and I am grateful to have this time off with my family.’
In December 2022, Claire announced the launch of her new luxury accommodation business venture in Byron Bay, called ‘Sun Ranch’.
Last year, Pip was forced to deny rumours of a falling out with Claire after her office was cleared out and turned into a ‘creative space’ following a months-long absence
‘I am getting very itchy and excited about revealing this new project me and my great mates have been working on,’ she wrote on Instagram at the time.
‘Sun Ranch is a 1970s-inspired offbeat luxury 55-acre estate,’ according its Instagram page.
‘An ultra chic five-room guest house and six epic barns. Abundant with unpretentious good times. Coming 2023.’
Her work break followed a period of turmoil in her life where she quietly split from her husband Timothy in mid-2022 after 11 years of marriage.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk